Penguin Books Canada Launches Razorbill Online Community

PENGUIN CANADA’S NEW YOUNG-ADULT FICTION BRAND COMES TO LIFE ONLINE

Razorbill.ca connects literature’s hottest category with its most enthusiastic audience

Penguin Canada, a leader in young-adult fiction, launched Razorbill.ca, an online destination for the community, conversations and enthusiasm of today's expanding young-adult fiction audiences. Razorbill.ca gives young adults a forum to engage with contemporary authors and like-minded peers.

“Razorbill is a foundation for a lasting love of reading, a place to share fictional crushes, challenge villainous deeds, and visit the past, present and future, taking on the real issues of the day,” said Lynne Missen, Penguin’s Publishing Director for Young Readers.

Razorbill.ca is all about creating a unique experience for book enthusiasts. With exclusive access, members will be exposed to anticipated titles before they launch, be invited to live chats with critically acclaimed authors including Joseph Boyden, Hiromi Goto, Charles de Lint and Carrie Mac but most importantly, be part of an evolving community and conversation.

As recently reported in the Los Angeles Times, “Young adult continues to be the literary world's fastest-growing genre” with middle grade fiction also experiencing a renaissance, thanks in large measure to Harry Potter and the Twilight saga, which have ushered in an era of more adults reading young adult fiction than ever before. Further, the traditional demographic boundaries of the category have widened so extremely they are almost irrelevant.

“Young adult fiction hits a unique sweet spot,” says Missen, “offering authentic entertainment for both teens and adults, as well as the opportunity to engage on real-life issues like bullying, suicide, love and relationships and mistakes.”

The young-adult fiction category now includes some of the world’s most popular names and authors. In the past year alone, writers including John Grisham, Kathy Reichs and Harlan Coben have crossed the genre line to write critically acclaimed books for young readers. Razorbill titles include Jay Asher’s 13 Reasons Why, John Green’s The Fault in our Starsand Playground, by 50 Cent. The first Canadian title to be published by Razorbill will be Hiromi Goto's Darkest Light, on-sale January 31st.

“The category is extremely diverse, concludes Missen. “There is quite literally a young adult fiction book for every reader.”

About Razorbill (www.razorbill.ca)

Razorbill is an imprint dedicated to publishing the very best in young adult writing, showcasing both Canadian and international talent. Razorbill.ca is an online virtual community bringing together a wide range of readers, writers and reviewers of YA fiction.

You can connect with them on Facebook: facebook.com/razorbillca and Twitter: Razorbill Books @RazorbillCA

About Penguin (www.penguin.ca)

Penguin Canada, founded in 1974, is one of the country’s leading publishers of fiction and non-fiction, publishing an award-winning list of Canadian authors including Joseph Boyden, Randy Bachman, Adrienne Clarkson, Will Ferguson, Guy Gavriel Kay, Margaret MacMillan, Stuart McLean, Craig Oliver and John Ralston Saul. Penguin Group (www.penguin.com), one of the world’s largest English-language trade book publishers, has established divisions and key market positions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, China, South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland. The Penguin Group is part of Pearson, the international media company.



Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.